Reclaiming Mystique (SpaceStalker Saga Book 2) by Bevan Greer Page A

Jace.
    Jace looked over his shoulder but saw nothing. “Nesham?”
    After a moment, Nesham shook his head. “Sorry. Thought I saw something.”
    “Do another sweep. I want to be sure we don’t have anything from Dark World aboard.”
    “We don’t. Koneru and I went through this ship twice.”
    Jace looked at him.
    “Another sweep.” Nesham sighed. “Roger that, Captain.”
    Jace turned to the vid screen, punched in the corresponding codes, and saw a Legionnaire Lieutenant wearing a militant expression.
    “I presume I’m speaking with the captain of the SpaceStalker ?”
    “That you are.” Yet another example of anal retentive System law. Until meeting Castor, Jace has assumed all Legionnaires lacked a sense of humor.
    “We have a message for you from Legionnaire Master Garen N’alen of Fenby.”
    Dare’s mate. His best friend had actually tied herself, willingly, to a Legionnaire. It still surprised him to think of his best friend happy and with child—with a man once her enemy. Jace nodded for the lieutenant to continue.
    “Master Garen orders you to contact him immediately. Failure to do so will prompt your swift return to Fenby under armed guard.”
    Jace didn’t need this, not now. “Fine. Patch me through to ‘Master’ Garen.”
    The lieutenant gave him a stern look but did as requested.
    The minute Garen N’alen appeared on his vid screen, Jace let loose his frustration. “What in the five hels are you doing trying to commandeer my ship?”
    “Your ship?” Garen’s hint of a smile annoyed the Psi out of him. As did the not-so-subtle reminder that Jace had only recently taken over as captain the last cycle—after Garen’s mate had turned the ship over to him. “My, how possessive you’ve become. I wouldn’t have bothered you but Dare told me to.”
    “Nice to see you aren’t master of everything,” Jace muttered.
    Garen chuckled, a changed man from the once embittered captain of the Stalker patrol. But then, the love of a good woman was often said to have that desired effect.
    “Dare’s been beside herself with worry the last few passings, convinced you were in grave danger.” Garen frowned at him. “You don’t look too well, truth be told.”
    “I’m fine. The crew and I ran into some problems with the Meklens. You’ll be happy to hear they’re still holding a grudge against you for putting down their rebellion.”
    “Really?” Garen sounded interested, his warrior blood no doubt still boiling, despite his newfound marital bliss.
    “Yes, really,” Jace responded testily. “Don’t sound so pleased with yourself. And for the record, I’ve better things to do than battle the Meklens on behalf of your Stalkers.”
    “Why do I get the feeling Castor was involved in this mess?”
    ‘“Because he was. It’s too bad Castor was so good at his job as a Stalker. He’s not taking to pirate life as well as he could. He’s got a natural talent for trouble. Unfortunately, he seems to be starting it instead of finishing it.”
    “That’s Castor.” Garen grinned. “Where is he?”
    “Healing in medical. Don’t worry, he’s recuperating well enough.” Jace paused. Though he and Garen had once stood on opposite sides of the law, his friendship with Dare had tied them as friends. To their surprise, they found they actually liked each other.
    “What exactly haven’t you told me?” the astute Legionnaire asked.
    After a pause, Jace admitted, “We had to land on Dark World to escape the Meklens.”
    Garen gaped. “You’re kidding.”
    “I wish I were. We took some hits. Castor is mending and Mikhel—” He focused, found Mikhel exactly the same, and sighed. “He’ll heal physically, but I’m not sure what they did to him there. The stories are true, Ren. That place is a literal hell.”
    “If anyone could survive Dark World, it would be you. Damn if I’m going to tell Dare any of this, though.”
    “Don’t. She’ll just worry. Look, I’ve got to get back to the